The legendary mythos of the caped crusader has marched for over seventy-five years since Batman’s first appearance inDetective Comics #27in 1939. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, Batman has risen into one of the most popular superheroes of all time and one of the pillars of the DC universe. Over the years, Batman has defined what a dark hero should be, and his story has expanded along with his laundry list of villains in his rogues' gallery.
The world’s greatest detective has even debuted outside the world of comics, featuring in multiple live-action appearances and entire trilogies. However, in the long list of characters that share Batman’s universe, there are many who have never appeared on screen alongside him. Here are some majorBatmancharacters that have never appeared in a live-action movie.
8Aaron Cash
One-Handed Defender Of Arkham Asylum
Aaron Cash is not a major character in terms of ability, but instead, his presence holds a fair amount of weight in Gotham City. Cash first appeared in theArkham Asylum: Living Hellmini-series, where he debuted as an Arkham security guard in charge of the most psychotic criminals in Gotham.
Cash made another appearance in theBatman: Arkham Asylumvideo game, where his character played a reasonable role. While Arkham Asylum has not been fully explored, there is hope that the next generation ofBatmanmovies will dive deeper into the city’s madness and that Cash will appear to aid Batman in containing the terror.
7Clayface
The Monster Of Many Faces
Clayface is one of the most dangerous and most tragic assailants that roam Gotham City’s down-rotten streets. While there are many versions, the most notable is arguably Basil Karlo, who first appeared in the comics inDetective Comics #40and even appeared as a main villain inBatman: The Animated Series, voiced by Ron Pearlman.
Clayface was an actor down on his luck and was transformed into a shapeless mass after a mishap medical procedure. Losing his sense of self, Karlo turned to a life of crime, crumbling under the weight of his mental disability.Clayface would make a great villainas one of the most unique challenges Batman would have to face and allow a clear opportunity for him to put his detective skills under the spotlight.
6Hush
The Most Dangerous Man In Gotham
Hush is one of Batman’s most sinister villains and one of the few adversaries who know his true identity. Bruce Wayne had few friends growing up, but one he could always depend on was Thomas Elliot. Unfortunately, Elliot’s kind demeanor hid his more demented nature.
Having sought to murder his parents for their fortune, his plan was faltered by Thomas Wayne, which turned him to madness. Holding a grudge, Elliot adopted the alias “Hush” and plotted a scheme to take vengeance on Bruce by tearing his life apart from the inside out. Hush first appeared in the graphic novel of his namesake and has made countless appearances since, but nothing off the pages of DC Comics.
5Jeremiah Arkham
The Keeper Of Gotham’s Insanity
Jeremiah Arkham is paramount in Gotham City’s history and one of the backbones that keeps Arkham Asylum running. First appearing inDetective Comics #593, Jeremiah is the astute and almost cryptid-like head of the asylum who has been infected by his patients' madness.
In countless encounters, Jeremiah tries to take over the city, put an end to Batman, and even serve as the Black Mask for a short time. The complexity of Jeremiah Arkham’s character would make a great villain for an upcomingBatmanmovie, taking the story deeper into the madhouse of Arkham Asylum.
4Ace
The Batman’s Best Friend
There are not many that Batman trusts with his life outside of the immediate members of the family. However, the four-legged bat-hound is a cherished member of the bat family and has proven more than once that he is as dependable as Alfred himself.
Ace first appeared inBatman #92and made countless appearances in other media, such asBatman BeyondandDC League of Superpets. Unfortunately, the companionship between Batman and Ace has not yet received the live-action adaptation they both deserve. Hopefully in some shape or form, Ace gets his time in the spotlight in James Gunn’s budding DC films.
3Barbara Gordon
The Deadicated Defender Of Gotham
Barbara Gordon is among the bat family’s longest-standing and most vital members. Joining in on vigilantism on her own accord, she became the best of the best when she dawned her cowl as Batgirl. Barbara Gordon first appeared inDetective Comics #359, and since then, she has gathered her own achievements while leaping across rooftops in Gotham and even made her way to becoming a great detective like her father, Commissioner Gordon.
Barbara has appeared in multiple television and animated films and was even slated to receive her firstlive-action debut in a stand-alone movie. Unfortunately, the film starring Leslie Grace was canceled shortly after production.
2Damian Wayne
The Son Of The Batman
Damian Wayne is one of the newest members of the bat family, being the direct descendant of Bruce Wayne through progeny with Talia Al’Ghul. Damian arrived on the scene as a surprise to everyone, even the fans, in his first appearance inBatman: Son of the Demon.
As an arrogant but deadly individual, Damian took the mantle of Robin as his birthright. Since then, Damian has worked hard to break the grooming of the League of Shadows and learn his father’s idealistic ways. Damian has become a perfect piece to the Batman puzzle and would be a great addition to upcoming live-action installments.
1Red Hood
The Fallen Hero Turned Anti-hero
Jason Todd is perhaps the most polarizing name when speaking about the mythos of Batman. Starting out as the replacement of Dick Grayson after a damaging emotional split between the two, Jason Todd arose as the new Robin and took to it with a bright future ahead of him.
Unfortunately, a series of decisions led the young man to his death at the hands of the Joker and signaled one of the darkest times in Batman’s history. Jason Todd would reemerge as theRed Hood, the lost partner of Batman, returned from the dead. Jason Todd holds a tremendous amount of weight in the entire DC universe, and it would be spectacular for Under the Hood to be adapted into a live-action film.
